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Vjekoslav Majetić
Episode · #381

RITAM POSLA Vjekoslav Majetić

Guest Vjekoslav MajetićHosted by Lidija KiseljakMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

Vjekoslav Majetić founded DOK-ING in the early 1990s, at a time when Croatia was grappling with the aftermath of war and the slow, costly process of demining its territories. He saw an urgent need for machines that could make this work safer and more efficient. From that specific, critical national problem, Majetić built a company that now commands 80% of the world market for demining robots, a position he describes as a virtual monopoly. His story offers a rare glimpse into building a high-tech manufacturing leader from a small country, navigating global markets, and planning for a future beyond the founder's direct involvement. You will walk away with a clearer picture of how a niche problem can become the foundation for global dominance, and the challenges of sustaining innovation in a volatile economic landscape.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Croatia's post-war demining efforts were slow and costly, as Vjekoslav Majetić observed. He was already building robots for the police, so he saw a direct need for machines that could make demining safer and more efficient. The businesses that gain global traction often start by solving a specific, urgent national problem.
02
DOK-ING now commands 80% of the world market for demining robots, which Majetić describes as 'a monopoly' with virtually no competition. When you solve a critical, overlooked problem with a specialized high-tech solution, you don't just compete; you define the category.
03
The US government, through an IDIQ contract, was DOK-ING's biggest early customer and supporter, using their machines for peacekeeping and troop protection. A major government endorsement, especially from a global power, can validate a novel technology and accelerate its adoption across other nations.
04
DOK-ING's expertise in remote-controlled systems led them to develop specialized robots for underground mining in Africa, partnering with Anglo American to reduce accidents. The skills that solve one intractable problem in a dangerous environment are often precisely the ones needed to solve another.
05
Vjekoslav Majetić still leads DOK-ING's development, providing initial ideas to a team of over forty young R&D engineers who refine them into finished products. The founder's vision is a starting point, but a dedicated, skilled team is what translates 'only new things' into viable global exports.
06
Majetić is actively transitioning DOK-ING's management to his daughter, Ana Majetić Pešić, and new director Mario Grgurović, aiming for the company to thrive beyond his direct involvement. The true measure of a founder's work isn't just building a successful business, but ensuring its purpose and impact continue for generations.
07
After developing an electric car, Majetić found all credit withdrawn, a move he saw as designed to prevent DOK-ING from competing with the European auto industry. Even with a viable product, external pressures can abruptly shift the landscape, forcing companies to pivot or find entirely new financing paths.
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